ICYMI: House Democrats Introduce Sweeping Legislation to Repeal Trump Health Care Cuts
Underwood legislation to extend popular tax credits is a key piece of the legislation and will protect health coverage savings and care for millions of American families
WASHINGTON — On the 60th Anniversary of Medicaid and Medicare, House Democrats introduced the Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act, sweeping legislation that would repeal the devastating cuts to working families’ health care implemented in Donald Trump’s Big Ugly Bill.
Rep. Lauren Underwood’s Health Care Affordability Act is a critical piece of the legislation, and would extend popular tax credits for people who get their health care through the Affordable Care Act, making them more generous and available to more Americans.
“As a direct result of Donald Trump’s Big Ugly Bill, millions of American families will soon be getting notices that the cost of their health coverage for next year will be skyrocketing,” said Rep. Underwood. “Many of those families will be forced to go without coverage, and the consequences will be devastating. The Big Ugly Law is the largest cut to health care in American history, and we are out of time. Republicans must act now to pass our legislation, correct this disaster, and protect care for working families.”
The cost savings from the Health Care Affordability Act have led to a record-breaking and historic expansion of health care coverage.
More than 24 million people signed up for health care through the Affordable Care Act this year, including 3.2 million new enrollees. Four in five Americans have found health coverage for $10 or less per month and families of four with Marketplace plans are saving an average of $2,400 on their annual health care premiums. The tax credits are set to expire on December 31, 2025.
But Republicans have refused to extend these savings, and the Congressional Budget Office estimates that 4.2 million Americans will lose their coverage as a direct result of the associated cost increases. Americans can expect to see notifications from their coverage providers informing them about increased costs over the coming weeks.
The Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act restores critical funding to Medicaid that was cut in the Big Ugly Bill and extends the popular tax credits from Underwood’s Health Care Affordability Act. Full text of the legislation can be found here.
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